Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, June 22, 1990 TAG: 9006220872
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A/1 EDITION: EVENING
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: UNITED NATIONS LENGTH: Medium
Today, Mandela - a free man Mandela since February - came to call on the world body.
The United Nations has for years led the battle against apartheid in the international arena. The 159-nation body has denounced South Africa's system of racial segregation and called for the establishment of a non-racial democracy.
The United Nations has also long backed sanctions against South Africa. In his current 14-nation tour, Mandela has urged that such sanctions be kept in place to keep up the pressure on South Africa's government.
Mandela spoke to the Special Committee Against Apartheid, a General Assembly body. He repeated his call to isolate South Africa economically and diplomatically until apartheid is ended and democracy is born.
The meeting was held in the General Assembly Hall, but since Mandela is not a head of state or government, it was not scheduled as a special session of the General Assembly. Most members of the assembly attended, however.
South Africa, a member of the United Nations, was not represented since it was ousted from the General Assembly in 1974.
Thursday, Mandela told throngs of joyful supporters that blacks are nearing their goal of racial justice in South Africa, but their toughest work may lie ahead.
He made exuberant and emotional appeals to a packed house at Yankee Stadium and an estimated 100,000 people at a rally in Harlem, the cultural capital of black America.
Earlier, the 71-year-old freedom fighter and other participants in an ecumenical service at Harlem's Riverside Church danced jubilantly to the beat of African drummers after the African National Congress choir finished singing its anthem.
The service, with 2,000 invited guests, brought religious leaders of all faiths together in a call for equality.
Before leaving for a closed meeting with business leaders today, he started with a walk to and through Carl Schurz Park, not far from Gracie Mansion, where Mandela is staying with Mayor David Dinkins.
Mandela wore a blue business suit for the 6:35 a.m. jaunt; Dinkins tagged along in a jogging suit. Mandela smiled and said hello to joggers and bench-sitters.
In his public addresses Thursday, Mandela urged a redoubling of efforts to bring a speedy end to "this shameful blot on humanity."
"We are on the verge of victory, but the last mile of the freedom road could prove to be the most difficult and the most intractable," he warned.
"International pressure must be intensified and sanctions maintained. Keep the pressure on apartheid," Mandela said, reiterating the main theme of his 14-nation tour to raise money for the black nationalist ANC.
The crowds in Harlem began gathering hours before Mandela arrived, an hour behind schedule. They filled streets named for black American heroes; others watched from balconies and fire escapes. They responded enthusiastically to Mandela and his wife, Winnie, with shouts and raised fists.
Police estimated the crowd numbered 100,000.
"To our people, Harlem symbolizes strength," Mandela told the crowd to a roar of applause.
At the street rally and later at a sold-out Yankee Stadium, he credited "the unceasing solidarity of millions throughout the world" with helping to win his release from prison Feb. 11 after 27 years served for anti-apartheid activities.
"You, the people, never abandoned us even when we passed through the most difficult years," he said. "We heard your voice. We knew then that we were not alone. We knew that our cause would triumph."
by CNB